More Than 40M Fire Extinguishers That May Not Work Recalled

More than 40 million fire extinguishers in the U.S. and Canada are being recalled because they might not work in an emergency. Kye Martin reports.

(Published Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017)

More than 40 million fire extinguishers in the U.S. and Canada are being recalled because they might not work in an emergency.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says on its website that it's aware of at least one death because of a problem with extinguishers made by Kidde. In 2014, extinguishers didn't work for emergency responders who were trying to fight a car fire after a crash.

The recall covers 134 models of push-button and plastic-handle extinguishers made from 1973 through Aug. 15 of this year. About 37.8 million of the recalled units were sold in the U.S. alone.

The recalled fire extinguishers were sold at Menards, Montgomery Ward, Sears, The Home Depot, Walmart and other department, home and hardware stores nationwide, and online at Amazon.com, ShopKidde.com and other online retailers for between $12 and $50 and for about $200 for model XL 5MR. These fire extinguishers were also sold with commercial trucks, recreational vehicles, personal watercraft and boats.

The government says the extinguishers can become clogged or require "excessive force" to discharge. Also, the nozzle can come off.

"There have been approximately 391 reports of failed or limited activation or nozzle detachment, including the fatality, approximately 16 injuries, including smoke inhalation and minor burns, and approximately 91 reports of property damage," according to the CPSC.

Owners should contact Kidde to ask for a replacement and for instructions on how to return recalled models.